11-15-09 Niagara Falls and Toronto Canada –Canal System & Niagara on the Lake – Part 2

The city of Niagara on the Lake was an interesting stop. We walked around the town and visited several shops. We visited the Prince of Wales Hotel and Restaurant where English Royalty stays when in Ontario.

AVOC

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November 7, 2009

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Trip to Niagara Falls and Toronto Canada – Niagara on the Lake – Part 2

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By Wendell Dawson, Editor, AVOC, Inc

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On October 14,we rode along Niagara Valley to Niagara on the Lake, an affluent and exclusive area of Ontario. On the way, we stopped at a Welland Canal Lock and learned about the Locks and Canal System that allows seaway traffic around the Falls and connects Lakes Ontario and Erie.

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Wellmon Lock– Part of Canal System around the Falls – Lifts boats in elevation difference

between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie 10-14-09

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We saw a lot of mansions and nice residences along the way.Surprisingly, the elevation is such that the area has a very accommodating climate and allows for growth of peaches, grapes, apples, pears etc. We saw many peach trees –really more than we see in NEGA.We stopped at a market and saw many fruits, jellies, jams, wine etc that are produced there.

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Residence at Niagara on the Lake

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The city of Niagara on the Lake was an interesting stop. We walked around the town and visited several shops. We visited the Prince of Wales Hotel and Restaurant where English Royalty stays when in Ontario. Prince Charles was scheduled to visit the next week. Some of us ate lunch in the Prince of Wales. That was a treat except that a couple of folks did not like the Pumpkin Soup. Prince of Wales Hotel, Niagara-on-the-Lake

The chain of lakes and rivers used by early North American explorers and Canadian fur traders has evolved into the unique and efficient water transportation route, the St. Lawrence Seaway. Before the potential of these inland waters could be fully realized, several turbulent sections located at key points had to be overcome or by-passed. The falls and rapids of the Niagara River presented the major obstacle to an uninterrupted waterway to the American heartland. Until 1829, the only route from Lake Ontario to Lake Erie included a lengthy portage around Niagara Falls from Queenston to Chippawa Creek.

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To circumvent nature's wonder, a man-made wonder was required. The Welland Canal, with

its eight large locks, was built to fulfil this need.This canal system, the western section of the

St. Lawrence Seaway, ranks as one of the outstanding engineering feats of the twentieth century. The all-Canadian Welland Canal is the first segment of the modern Seaway to have been built. It connects two of the Great Lakes (Ontario and Erie) and forms an integral part of

the deep waterway that allows large lakers and ocean vessels to navigate to and from the heart of North America.